Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

I have been at it again – finding more ways to use the base of the best dinner rolldough. It was requested that I try cinnamon rolls and the results of the trial were fabulous. I made the basic dough in my bread machine. Then I rolled it out, added magic dust – err, I mean cinnamon sugar, rolled it into a log, cut into slices, and then baked. Then a luscious cream cheese icing was drizzled on top after the rolls had cooled. Yum!

Roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Spread melted butter on top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll up the dough and cut in half. Cut each half into two pieces. (I find that this is the easiest way to have somewhat equal-sized rolls.

Bake until golden brown.

Allow to cool and then drizzle icing on top.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Yield: 16

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours20 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup milk, heated in microwave on high for 40 seconds

¼ cup melted butter

3¼ cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 package Active Dry Yeast

1 large egg

Filling

4 Tbsp butter, softened

Cinnamon sugar

Icing

4 oz. cream cheese, 1/2 block, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

Place ingredients for dough in bread machine according to manufacturer's instructions. (For my machine, I place the ingredients in this order: milk, butter, flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. I add the egg after the paddle has spun around once.) Set dough cycle.

Remove from bread machine and divide dough in half. Roll each half into rectangle approximately 16 x 8 inches. Spread each half with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.

Roll each half and cut into 12 pieces. (I cut it in half, then each half in half, and then those into thirds.)

Place in pans sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Spray tops of cinnamon rolls with non-stick cooking spray and place in warm oven. (I usually let my oven get to mid 100's and turn it off.)

Allow to rise for 45 minutes.

Turn oven to 350 degrees and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

For icing, combine ingredients and whisk well. Spread or drizzle over cinnamon rolls.

Nutrition Information:

I am not a big fan of eating cereal, so these really hit the spot for me. They also make a great dessert. I find that if I don’t eat them right away, they are best reheated in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Since the recipe makes two pans, it is easy to have one now and freeze one for later.